“So in that moment, I thought to pull from the front and push from the back. Just as the Qi of the meridians surged up to twelve…!”
“Hey there.”
The Poison Doctor cut off my lively and vigorous rant.
“Now that you’ve reached the first level, shouldn’t you learn some light body techniques?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“I’ll teach you the technique called ‘Yunbi Yeonhwan-gong.’ Are you willing to learn it?”
“I have my own method arranged. Once I return to Sacheon, I’ll start training immediately. So as the Qi fills up…”
“Ah! How many times do I have to tell you that your problems aren’t completely resolved yet! The chances of you using regular light techniques are slim.”
“Hmm.”
I felt like I still needed to blabber more, but I couldn’t ignore the advice from the Poison Doctor, so I held back.
“Are you saying I can’t use light techniques?”
“Light techniques require long-term operation, unlike footwork. So, they typically seek flow rather than a momentary explosion. Since the flow of Qi generally runs through the entire body, typical exercises tend to favor lightening the body. It’s the same reason why things like Super Oxen or Water Montagne are considered excellent light techniques.”
“However, your body is still swaying with impurities, making it disadvantageous to pursue an endless flow. A short and powerful explosion is what suits you. This Yunbi Yeonhwan-gong is perfect for you.”
Before I could say anything, the Poison Doctor began chanting the technique, and since I certainly couldn’t just throw away my free martial arts, I started firmly memorizing the key principles and operational methods in my head.
“Now that we’ve drawn the necessary blood for Maki’s treatment and research, let’s get you practicing the Yunbi Yeonhwan-gong before the principles fly out of your head!”
I was immediately kicked out of the barn, which had turned into the Poison Doctor’s apothecary.
“Maki! Where the heck are you! Sprinkle salt outside! Preferably something big!”
“Oh dear, Doctor. Can you just give one order at a time?”
I had no choice but to lick my lips and step into the yard. The Black Cat followed Miss Yeo Il-ye out, and now the only ones left to listen to my musings were Maki and the Poison Doctor, but I had just been kicked out, so I had no one to talk to.
Well, I received free martial arts, so I might as well practice it.
I found a spot in the yard and began to operate the Samwon Heart Method little by little according to the principles the Poison Doctor had taught me.
When I first fell into this Martial World, I thought I could just read the martial arts manuals because the game UI was still up and running, but I realized how wrong I was.
The system was merely for verification purposes. If I didn’t understand how to use the martial arts and register them in the system, I wouldn’t be able to execute them simply through the system.
Even light techniques required me to struggle to master them.
After about 30 minutes of practicing my Qi, I finally got the hang of it. The Yunbi Yeonhwan-gong basically meant hopping in rhythm. Timing my legs bending and hitting the ground created the phenomenon of explosive Qi, immediately changing the height of my jumps.
I wondered if this could be applied to other martial arts, but that seemed unlikely.
The style didn’t look great. Normally, I expected flashy movements or a graceful air from martial arts, but this Yunbi Yeonhwan-gong felt more like a rabbit with its tail on fire.
However, I couldn’t deny that this method had a low difficulty and good efficiency. I already managed to pick up some speed with just a couple of practice sets.
[You’ve learned the light technique: Yunbi Yeonhwan-gong.]
This was really a technique to use only when escaping. It didn’t match the dignity of Neo-Hyper First-Class Martial Artist Ho Cheon-an at all.
“Tsk.”
I wanted to learn a different martial art, but the Poison Doctor diagnosed that any technique that brought immediate changes to my abilities might lead to unpredictable results, so he told me to hold back until I reached minimum conclusions.
So here I was, with motivation and vigor running amok.
If I could raise my stats, I would have invested in that right away.
I would have just caught the Poison Doctor for just two practice sets and conveyed the inspiration from when I first reached the first level, then eagerly trained with a fresh mindset.
While I was lost in these useless thoughts, Miss Yeo Il-ye returned, carrying someone.
*
“Hmm.”
The Poison Doctor looked at Miss Yeo Il-ye’s belt. The belt she wore yesterday was nowhere to be seen, but a gorgeous jade belt occupied its place. Even the Poison Doctor, who had never cared about precious items, admired it inwardly. It was truly a treasure that wasn’t undeserving of the name.
Next, his gaze fell on Maki, whose arms were cut off. The Poison Doctor unconsciously glanced towards Maki. Maki was looking at the faintly fainted figure with a gaze that was hard to describe.
Sensing the presence of the Black Cat sneaking in during the commotion, the Poison Doctor opened his mouth.
“So… this is Maki?”
“Yes.”
Miss Yeo Il-ye, already radiating a chilling aura, delivered her words like the north wind of winter.
“He admitted to burning down the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa himself.”
Miss Yeo Il-ye relayed whatever conversation she had with Maki to the group.
“I want to give this trash the most painful death in the world.”
Amidst her calmness burned a fiery hatred. Even the Poison Doctor, who had been in the Martial World for so long, felt a chill from Miss Yeo Il-ye’s aura, and he silently nodded.
“First, shouldn’t we gather some information?”
“Yes. This trash couldn’t possibly destroy our main house. There must be a backer or partners involved.”
“Is that so… Well, I have some preparations.”
The Poison Doctor gestured at Maki. Maki had a pale face as he gazed at the unconscious figure before shuffling toward the barn. His slow footsteps resembled a caterpillar crawling, but neither the Poison Doctor nor Miss Yeo Il-ye urged him along.
The Black Cat, who had subtly slipped into the conversation, locked its sights on Miss Yeo Il-ye.
‘Should I invest?’
The reason the Black Cat originally aimed to push Miss Yeo Il-ye away was simple: it saw no chance of winning. The enemies suspected to have burned down the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa were all major players in the game.
Finally, the remnants of the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa appeared. They figured that they would not overlook anyone related to Miss Yeo Il-ye, the final piece of evidence.
But after witnessing Miss Yeo Il-ye’s strength, the judgment changed.
‘No matter how much of a big shot they may be, if she’s that strong, it could be worth a shot…’
No matter how influential the opponent might be, the Miss Yeo Il-ye the Black Cat witnessed was a storm. Where did such a monster emerge from? Even big trees and mountains would be swept away.
If she only wielded a sword, that would be challenging. However, if she had someone to back her, it seemed like she could possibly deal with every enemy.
Rather than worrying about vengeance after she collapsed, wouldn’t it be safer to assist her in getting her revenge?
As the Black Cat was lost in these thoughts about Miss Yeo Il-ye, something happened.
“Then… should we break the Dantian first?”
With what could only be called a nail rather than a needle, it pierced Maki’s abdomen. Maki’s eyes opened wide in shock. The Dantian, said to be the center of Qi within the body, was broken, causing the internal Qi to all surge out; naturally, the pressure points that Miss Yeo Il-ye had set were broken as well.
“No, no! Noo!!”
Maki screamed in anguish, frantically feeling around his abdomen, but there was no way to stop the Qi leaking from the already broken Dantian.
“Now, let’s reestablish the pressure points.”
The Poison Doctor calmly began to reset Maki’s meridians. Ho Cheon-an swallowed dryly as he watched the procedure. It was understandable that Miss Yeo Il-ye, faced with an enemy she wanted to tear to pieces, wouldn’t blink an eye, but the Poison Doctor’s actions were unexpected.
‘Well… if he were likable, he’d have names like Sunui or Dangui rather than Poison Doctor.’
Ho Cheon-an nodded quietly, trying to gather his admiration and respect for the Poison Doctor.
The Poison Doctor asked.
“Are you closely connected with the Sect Leader? If so, why don’t you tidy up the storeroom?”
Maki spat on the ground and replied.
“Why would there be feelings or ties among bandits? I’ve been running solo for more than a month. Just… seeing the person who looked like a mountain fall like this left me feeling uneasy.”
Maki handed over his pocket.
“But I’ll keep my distance since it feels like my life is on the line.”
“Yeah, do that.”
“So what do you three plan to do? I reckon my enemies aren’t ordinary folks. If not, they couldn’t have wiped out the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa without a trace.”
The Poison Doctor and Ho Cheon-an exchanged glances.
“We know about Miss Yeo Il-ye’s revenge, but… I don’t think we need to know any more.”
“Right. I think so too. It’s best to leave after confirming Maki speaks.”
This was purely a personal revenge for Miss Yeo Il-ye. Ho Cheon-an and the Poison Doctor were just fortunate to help, but it seemed right to withdraw at this point.
“I really appreciate both of your supports. If it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t have been able to easily overpower Maki and uncover the identity of my enemy.”
“Haha, save the gratitude for after hearing all this person’s information.”
The Poison Doctor shook his pocket.
“Do you recognize what this is?”
“What is it?”
“This is a confession drug. And what I’ve got here is a potion called Half-Soul Drug. This confession drug doesn’t work on those with high cultivation. At most, it’s something only useful for the second level, but below that, it’s genuinely shocking!”
The Black Cat stiffened. It unconsciously rolled its eyes toward Ho Cheon-an, noticing his intrigued expression.
“Oh, what an interesting item.”
“Right. The problem is that it only works on those below the second level, so the downside is that you must drop someone to below that level by disrupting their Dantian to use it.”
“Ah.”
“A minor side effect is that they forget their memories before and after using it, but what does it matter?”
“Oh… the world of the Poison Doctor is truly profound.”
“Hahaha… It seems you know a thing or two.”
“Then, seniors, my friend and I will take our leave. It doesn’t seem like it’d be pleasant for me to be here.”
“Aye.”
“Let’s go, Geumseoul.”
“Y-Yes, right… I should! N-No… older brother..!”
When Ho Cheon-an turned to look at the Black Cat.
The Black Cat was sweating profusely.
